ANIMALS. 271 



and a slender body, that fits them for creeping into holes, in pursuit 

 of their prey, like worms ; and they are therefore called the vermin 

 kind. 



We see, from this sketch of division and sub-division, how a sub- 

 ject, extremely delightful and amusing in itself, may be darkened 

 and rendered disgusting. But notwithstanding, Ray seems to be one 

 of the most simple distributors ; and his method is still, and not with- 

 out reason, adopted by many. Such as have been at the trouble to 

 learn this method, will certainly find it useful ; nor would we bo 

 thought, in the least, to take from its merits ; all we contend for is, 

 that the same information may be obtained by a pleasanter and an 

 easier method. 



It was the great success of Ray's method, that soon after produced 

 such a variety of attempts in the same manner ; but almost all less 

 simple, and more obscure. Mr. Klein's method is briefly as follows : 

 he makes the power of changing place, the characteristic mark of 

 animals in general ; and he lakes their distinctions from their aptitude 

 and fitness for such a change. Some change place by means of 

 feet, or some similar contrivance; others have wings and feet: some 

 can change place only in water, and have only fins : some go 

 upon earth, without any feet at all : some change place, by mov- 

 ing their shell ; and some move only at a certain time of the year. 

 Of such, however, as do not move at all, he takes no notice. 

 The quadrupeds that move chiefly by means of four feet upon 

 /and, he divides into two orders. The first are the hoofed 

 kind ; and the second, the claw kind. Each of these orders is di- 

 vided into four families. The first family of the hoofed kind, are the 

 singled hoofed, such as the horse, ass, &c. The second family are 

 such as have the hoof cloven into two parts, such as the cow, &c. 

 The third family have the hoof divided into three parts ; and in this 

 family is found only the rhinoceros. The fourth family have the hoof 

 divided into five parts; and in this is only to be found the elephant. 

 With respect to the clawed kind, the first family comprehends those 

 that have but two claws on each foot, as the camel ; the second family 

 have three claws ; the third, four; and the fourth, five. This method 

 of taking the distinctions of animals from the organs of motion, is 

 ingenious; but it is, at the same time, incomplete; and, besides, the 

 divisions into which it must necessarily fall, is inadequate; since, for 

 instance, in his family with two claws, there is but one animal ; 

 whereas, in his family with five claws, there are above a hundred. 



Brison, who has laboured this subject with great accuracy, divides 

 animated nature into nine classes : namely, quadrupeds ; cetaceous 

 animals, or those of the whale kind ; birds ; reptiles, or those of the 

 serpent kind ; cartilaginous fishes; spinous fishes; shelled animals ; 

 insects ; and worms. He divides the quadrupeds into eighteen 

 orders ; and takes their distinctions from the number and form of 

 their teeth. 



But of all those whose systems have been adopted and admired 

 Linnaeus is the foremost; as, with a studied brevity, his system com- 

 prehends the greatest variety in the smallest space. 



According to him, the first distinction of animals is U be 



